The tablet market offers a dizzying array of choices for schools and students-best tablet for students. As prices drop on many tablets, some of the choices appear economically attractive, but likely do not offer enough value for even short term needs. Many tablets are being offered with the Windows RT operating system, which is a different product from the full version Windows 8.1. The Motley Fool reported today that Microsoft indicated that going forward, Microsoft does not intend to continue with three distinct operating system platforms for mobile devices; Windows 8.1, Windows RT, and Windows Phone. According to Microsoft executive Julie Larson-Green , Microsoft is not "going to have three [operating systems]" going forward. This statement should give pause to schools or students considering a purchase of RT tablets. The useful life of an RT tablet will be greatly shortened if RT is discontinued. The smart money would bet RT is on the chopping block.
Although some third party hardware vendors are pushing RT tablets, the likely scenario is that this is a very short term business strategy that will end soon. Currently, one of the biggest limitations of RT is that software developers are not willing to invest in creating apps for this platform because of the perceived short term product lifecycle. If Microsoft announces anytime soon that they will discontinue RT, then that will be a knife in the heart of RT. Users will be left with an orphaned tablet. At any price, the RT tablet is not worth the risk.